Sesame Seeds - Food of the Gods 1

If you think of sesame seeds as a decorative sprinkle for the top of loaves and bread rolls, you are missing out on knowledge that's important for your health. Sadly, this food has come to be very much underestimated in today's Western culture.

Strength and Immortality : Sesame in Early Cultures

The cultivation of sesame seeds goes back to the earliest cultures in Africa, India and the Middle East. The mighty Assyrian nation that began about 5000 BC and had its heyday in the Tigris / Euphrates valleys between 2400 and 612 BC, esteemed sesame so highly that in their legends, they told of their gods drinking sesame wine to give them the strength to create the world.

And if the mention of 'Assyrian' has brought to mind the first line of a poem you can't quite remember, here just as an aside is the full text of Lord Byron's beautiful 'Destruction of Sennacherib'.
Sesame was held equally in respect in India. In Hindu legends and beliefs, tales are told in which sesame seeds represent a symbol of immortality. In many parts of India, sesame seed was and is a highly esteemed offering to their gods.

Strength and Endurance : Sesame in the Mediterranean

Cultivation of the seed spread to the Mediterranean - Egypt, Israel and Turkey especially. Greek and Roman armies were issued with bags of sesame seeds as iron rations for the soldiers, which tells us a great deal about the value of this seed.  These guys were not sitting in a war room pushing buttons to fire off rockets at the foe - they were forced marching over hundreds of miles of gruelling terrain, followed by fierce hand-to-hand fighting on the ground.

In the first century AD Dioscorides the Greek physician, pharmacologist and botanist authored a 5-volume encyclopedia on herbal medicine and related medicinal substances - a pharmacopeia.  This book was in circulation and widely read for well over a thousand years.

The above illustration is from the Vienna Dioscorides, a manuscript made in about 515 AD for the Byzantine princess Juliana Anicia, daughter of Emperor Anicius Olybrius, and now held in the Austrian National Library in Vienna. Originally created as a luxury copy, there is evidence that in later centuries it was used daily as a hospital textbook - interesting. It includes some annotations by hand in Arabic - see the photo. (Vienna Dioscorides on Wikipedia) 

Dioscorides shows us that sesame was still highly valued in his day, commenting that it "doth discuss (ie deal with) the griefs of the colon" and that "the herb soaked in wine heals pains of the head that come by heat." At least two common health problems here : constipation and headaches.  I can't help wondering if  'pains of the head that come by heat' refers to migraines and / or hangovers.  And 'griefs of the colon'?  It's plural - many bowel maladies, from diverticulitis to irritable bowel or ibs might be comprised in that.

Both the Egyptians and the Jews included sesame in their baking ingredients, customarily adding sesame seeds to their flour in the preparation of dough. And you can bet that wasn't just a pinch sprinkled on the top.  As you can see from my Extremely Busy Solo Woman's Biscuit / Cookie Recipe sesame when ground lends itself well to the formation of a dough - and one that contains NO GLUTEN, moreover.

Sesame in the Far East and America

In very early times the cultivation and use of sesame seeds also spread to China, Korea and Japan, where their use in cuisine is common. Finally, sesame was probably brought into 17th century colonial America by West African slaves, and its cultivation and use is now common in the Caribbean and Mexico.

What Are We Missing About Sesame?

Oh dear - in most western cuisine today we still adhere to the 'decorative' and 'crunchy, nutty flavor' concepts, in preference to understanding the value of the plant for our health. Is that decadent or what?

Here is my point: These uses and attributes of the sesame seed go back into antiquity. They were clearly inherent in the plant from the beginning. They were recognized in many nations out of practical living experience over a period of about 7 millennia - not cooked up in a laboratory over the last 200 years.

To improve our health and make us more resistant to disease, shouldn't we be looking to the practical experience of our forefathers rather than the fast food and pharmaceutical industries? I think so.

Next post - Science Begins to Catch Up.

Check out sesame used in baking in my Extremely Busy Solo Woman's Biscuit / Cookie Recipe

Patricia

Doctors, the Medical Profession, and Diet

As I mentioned in Biscuits - Cookies for the "No Grains" Diet I spent over 20 years trying to get a diagnosis of my systemic candida condition - originally caused by the administration of antibiotics. 26 years to be precise. In that time I consulted numerous doctors and was put through a heap of tests : a thyroid test (fatigue), barium meal tests, barium enema tests, liver and gallbladder tests, a bilharzia test (yes! - fatigue again).

I had pain in my stomach, so finally I nearly had an endoscopy. That was aborted by the specialist at the last minute, complete with an abusive "dress-down" standing in a hospital corridor, to boot. In effect, the medical profession told me it was all in my head - insult on top of injury.

In all that time, I kept asking the doctors if there were any foods I should avoid, mainly because my own self-experimentation was leading me to believe that some foods affected me worse than others. And in all that time, the standard answer was, "Nah, as long as you are getting an all-round diet, that's fine."

I had pretty much given up on the medical profession, and was researching and experimenting with dietary restrictions forced on me by the realities of my condition - whatever it might be.

Then by chance as Regional Solicitor for the ACC in Hamilton, I conducted a review hearing about a lady denied cover for an illness contracted while picking a bed of asparagus contaminated with an endectocide spray. I was impressed by the knowledge and open-minded approach of the doctor who gave evidence on her behalf.

The result was the candida diagnosis, and the discovery that I was allergic to 35 different foods (about which, more later) - no doubt because my condition had persisted so long. The doctor told me I could be very close to having ME, and gave me some reading materials on that health problem, too.

At least candida is now recognized by the medical profession generally, and in some cases it's being recognized that one of the causes is the use of antibiotics. About time too.

But in all those years of struggle and search, not one doctor had anything to offer on the issue of diet and food, which as I'll explain later, is a crucial plank in getting rid of any candida infection, be it oral, vaginal or systemic.

That to me is a travesty when you remember that the original father of medicine, the Greek physician Hippocrates (ca. 460 BC – ca. 370 BC) said “Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food “.

Wikipedia has this to say about Hippocrates :

Hippocrates is credited with being the first person to believe that diseases were caused naturally and not as a result of superstition, and gods. Hippocrates was credited by the disciples of Pythagoras with allying philosophy and medicine. He separated the discipline of medicine from religion, believing and arguing that disease was not a punishment inflicted by the gods but rather the product of environmental factors, diet, and living habits. [my emphasis]

Well, how far have we come? Western medicine is only one medical discipline that would say it doesn't believe in superstition and 'gods'. But for years now it has been following the equally deadly gods of the pharmaceutical industry.

We're in a Dark Age of science and medicine when more emphasis is placed on administering drugs than on looking to Hippocrates' wisdom.

But this is also the Information Age, when people with internet access can do their own research and make their own informed decisions.  This needs to happen, and the word needs to get out to those who don't have the internet, and probably need it most. 

That to me (and I'm not an American) is why Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" and other health initiatives are so important.

Patricia

Jamie Oliver, Sarah Palin and the First Lady

Back in March, Jamie Oliver took a stance on American food issues - because the Americans asked him to, please note.

Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" initiative against childhood obesity had come under fire from Sarah Palin. While in the USA, Oliver was asked what he thought about Palin's attitude. Well, ask a silly question if you like, but if you are talking to a Brit - please expect to get an honest answer, not a sugar-coated one.

Jamie put Palin in the same bag as "The Fruit Loop" - a US breakfast cereal packed with processed grains and made attractive to children by the addition of sugar, salt, fruit flavors and coloring.

Of course the conservatives got up in arms.

It's another example of American politics getting in the way of common sense. Some stupid statements were made in the Republican attack on the White House's initiative, like "Get away from my French Fries, Mrs Obama!" and "If we are supposed to eat fruits, berries and tree bark, show us how." Typical grandstanding, political garbage.

And here's some more: Sarah Palin claimed the First Lady "is telling us she cannot trust parents to make decisions for their own children, for their own families, on what we should eat."

Well, as I've already noted, "My people are destroyed by lack of knowledge". For many years, REAL nutrition has been ignored by the medical profession (thanks to the pharmaceutical companies whose input of $$ into the medical schools has ensured that some important issues are never taught). See my own experience with Doctors, the Medical Profession and Diet.

REAL nutrition has  been ignored by governments, food-producing cartels and chemical companies manufacturing so-called fertilizers and other agricultural chemical products. So we end up with hybridized foods, with food additives, drugs, herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers that make us sick, and we are expected to turn to the pharmaceutical companies for more drugs to make us well?? Come on!!!

No wonder many people cannot make the right decisions about what to feed their children and their families - AND THEY ARE NOT TO BLAME.  There are many folks who would cry, "Why didn't the government ever tell us?"  Well, someone with a bit of profile is telling you now - at last.

We are all confronted by a barrage of marketing and publicity from companies whose only interest in what they sell is to make as much money out of it as possible. White sugar is the number 1 worst "food" on the planet. Food manufacturers throw it into anything and everything to make their product appealing - and extra big gobs into anything designed to appeal to children. And where do we think the epidemic of childhood obesity, ADD, hyperactivity and child and teenage behavior problems is coming from?

Wake up America. Forget your childish political infighting and look at the REAL issues at stake here. Counterfeit foods, fertilizers and health measures are destroying us and costing governments (ie the taxpayer) a mint. And, as for health : what sort of inheritance are the Republicans trying to foist onto their kids?

Kudos to Michelle Obama for taking a stand. The more Americans who follow her lead and learn how to make informed decisions for their family's health, the better.

Patricia

Sunflower Seeds Turn You On

Some years ago. Prevention Magazine ran a series of articles about sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus). One of them started off by saying that if you were stranded on a desert island and the only food you had was sunflower seeds, you would be fortunate, because of the many healthful elements they contain. I've always remembered that.

Though in my Extremely Busy Solo Woman's Biscuit / Cookie Recipe sunflower seeds are cooked, they are of course even better eaten raw. In fact, Prevention had another insight to share, and it was this. According to a friendly doctor, the secret of staying young and vital all your life is :

"Every day eat something which, if put into the ground, will grow."

If you think about that, most things we eat would definitely not grow if put into the ground. That attribute is reserved for seeds - and sunflower seeds are one of the best. Here's a summary of what they contain:

• Protein (24%) This is complete protein - a rare find in non-animal foods - with an excellent balance of the 9 essential amino acids. In comparison with eggs, sunflower seeds have just about the same amount of lysine and methionine, and even higher levels of all the other essential amino acids. In today's world when the price of meat is high and questions are being asked about the connection between over-consumption of meat and cancer, it's good to know that at least one non-animal food can foot it with the best.
• Essential Fatty Acids (46%) - particularly linoleic acid - required for smooth skin and healthy hair, strength of connective tissue, reproductive processes, and to mobilize cholesterol.
• Vitamin E - for heart health, preventing blood clotting, and for reproductive processes.
• Vitamin A - for complexion, eyesight and the integrity of mucous membranes. It appears the vitamin A content of sunflower seeds is particularly well utilized - cattle when fed on sunflower seed cake (the remains from oil extraction) produce a higher level of vitamin A in their milk than when they are fed on other feeds.
• Vitamin D - again a very good natural source, probably because the sunflower keeps its face turned towards the sun. On top of that, this natural source also contains a bunch of minerals needed to activate the vitamin D. Isn't this far preferable to taking your D in capsule form?
• Vitamin Bs - especially thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and B6. More B Vitemins than are found in wheatgerm, in fact. THAT's useful information for people suffering from gluten intolerance or coeliac disease!
• Minerals - zinc for heart and prostate health; magnesium for strong blood vessels, bones and nerves; potassium for heart function; phosphorus and iron. And for anyone concerned about sodium intake, sunflower seeds are low in salt.
• Enzymes - when eaten uncooked, sunflower seeds provide an excellent source of enzymes - something most people living on cooked foods are drastically lacking.
• Fibre - essential for the bowel, heart health and cholesterol management. They are in fact better for us than wheat bran : another good tip for coelic sufferers and people who are allergic to grains.

I should add that the elements stored in this powerhouse seed are also known for their capacity to promote a sense of well-being. These gluten-free seeds have what it takes to add a spark to your day - and there are NO SIDE EFFECTS.

So instead of rushing off to get your fix of fast foods (and all the nasties that go with it), make sure you have sunflower seeds in your pantry, and take some to work with you every day.  Your body will thank you for it.  So will your bank balance!

Patricia

Biscuits - Cookies for the "No Grains" Diet

I have suffered for many many years from a systemic Candida infection. It all started as a teenager when a ship's doctor "threw the book" of antibiotics at me and unwittingly killed off all the good bugs in my system as well as all the bad ones.

It took me 26 years of trying to get a diagnosis and being told repeatedly that it was all in my head before a more savvy than usual doctor diagnosed me as having candida rampant in my gut. He also found I was allergic to 35 different foods - a lot of them plain ordinary fare like milk (cows' and goats'), grains, some veggies, and of course the expected food additives, cigarette smoke, petroleum and suchlike.

A course of nystatin (Nilstat) helped, but did not fix the problem and after avoiding a lot of foods for awhile I went back to eating fairly normally, but without sugar, and battled on.

I'm now at the point where I realise I just have to nail this thing before it nails me - about which, more in another post. But because living gluten-free or grain-free can be extremely hard at times, I thought I'd share my crazy biscuit / cookie recipe born out of sheer desperation. Before you turn your nose up at it totally, remember as well as grains I am also unable to eat sugar or other natural sweeteners, and I'll say right now that artificial sweeteners are only fit for the rubbish bin. If you doubt me, go to http://mercola.com/ and search the term.

So here it is - and because of all the other stuff I do it's called

"The Extremely Busy Solo Woman's Biscuit / Cookie Recipe"

Ingredients:
2 cups sunflower seeds, ground (coffee grinder)
2 cups sesame seeds, ground (ditto)
1 tsp sea salt
hot water to mix : 1.5 - 2 cups

Method:
Preheat the oven to 180 deg C or 350 deg F.

In a bowl thoroughly mix together the seeds and salt. Add the water a little at a time and mix as you go. You don't want to get the mix wet because you can't just chuck in some flour to fix it. Gradually add and mix enough water to let you fold and knead the stuff, then shape it into a round mass. It shouldn't be too sloppy - surprisingly, if you get it right, it will just about hold together.

Let it sit while you grease a big flat baking tray. I use olive oil - I refuse to use the usual polyunsaturated garbage. Put your mix onto the tray and with damp hands gradually flatten it out. Mine is usually 4-5mm thick.

Place in the preheated oven and cook for 20 mins. Keep an eye on it the first time you cook this recipe - ovens vary and your time might be different. I have a fan-heated oven, so it burns less than some ovens.

Take it out of the oven and before it cools release it from the tray - I have a very long knife I use for this. Once cooled, break it into pieces by hand and store in a tin or lunchbox. It's a lot quicker this way than messing around with cookie cutters - which would not work with this mix. Or you can score it into squares with a sharp knife before you bake it.

Get creative. There are some great things you can add for variation, depending on your own tastes - herbs like oregano, cumin or cinnamon, coconut cream (yum!) or garlic paste. Go wild and experiment with 'sweet' and 'savory' - just keep off the grains and sugars!  The great thing is that sunflower and sesame seeds are exceptionally good for you - and I'll explain that in later posts.

Because this is a bit more messy to handle than a flour mix, I have an old kitchen tool I use for the whole process from mixing the seeds to adding the water. I love using things for purposes other than the intended - it does a great job, too!  Haha!!

Enjoy.

See also : 
Sunflower Seeds Turn You On - (Helianthus annuus)
Sesame Seeds - Food of the Gods 1 - (Sesamum indicum)

Patricia